The domestic habits of birds / [Anon].

  • James Rennie
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The domestic habits of birds / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    nightingale to wash in the winter, and it is fatal to it to do so often; yet the moment a pan of water is put into its cage, it rushes into the water and soaks itself, and then stands shivering the very image of chilliness and despair; yet will it eagerly repeat the operation, if allowed to do so, every day till it dies. Young whinchats, sedge-warblers, wood- wrens, yellow wrens, &c. as soon as they can feed themselves, if offered water in a cage, wash with similar avidity; yet if the temperature be much under 70°, and the sun not shining, it is sure to kill them. In the younger birds it produces, some hours after and perhaps the next day, a sudden stroke of palsy, by which they drop with a scream, having lost the use of one or both legs, and often with the mouths distorted. In this state the general health does not seem to be affected, but if both legs are paralysed, they must soon perish. At a little more advanced age, the consequence of a single washing in cool weather is epileptic fits, which are repeated at shorter intervals till they occasion death. In a state of liberty the bird would dry itself quickly by rubbing against the leaves and by very active motion, in the same manner as the wrens by perpetual activity resist the severest frost, of which the least attack would kill them in confinement; and probably when birds have opportunities of washing always at hand, they choose the most favourable moments. In a cage it is neces- sary to give such birds their water in a very narrow- mouthed fountain, to prevent their killing themselves by washing. They will repeat it with equal eagerness, if not prevented, until they die, so strong is the inward impulse. I think the desire of washing belongs most strongly to the birds which migrate to hotter climates in winter, that of dusting to those which remain with us; a substitution wise as all the dis'
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